University of Sydney researchers explore suspended animation using salt water crocodiles

October 17, 1973 - Manned space flights to distant planets in the solar system will require some sort of suspended animation to help conserve food and oxygen on the journey. Scientists in Northern Australia are doing research into suspended animation using salt water crocodiles, who have the ability to control their heart rate voluntarily, down to one beat every three minutes. Professor Harry Metzel of the University of Sydney describes the process of catching them and attaching radio transmitters to monitor them after they?re released. The scientists have to build these transmitters; the atest type of transmitter is microwave and uses solar cells in a small package with a small antenna. They hope it will last ten to fifteen years.